US missiles slammed into Iran's Larak Island on Sunday, marking the latest blow in a war that's dragged on for over six months. Al Jazeera, citing US sources, reported that American forces struck rocket launchers belonging to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). These targets, the sources claimed, were being readied to lay mines in the vital Strait of Hormuz. Iran has vehemently denied these allegations.
While the US Central Africa Command (CENTCOM) hasn't officially confirmed the strike, the IRGC has stated that the attack on Larak Island resulted in the deaths of several Iranian fighters and civilians. The IRGC spokesperson, Sardar Mohebi, issued a stern warning. He accused the US of committing a "strategic and fatal mistake" for which they would face consequences "in both the economic and military arenas."
Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, also weighed in. He urged Muslim heads of state to "recognise their real enemy, understand its plans and confront it." This call to action comes amid heightened tensions. The war between the US and Iran has now reached its seventh month.
The conflict's trajectory has been marked by abrupt shifts. The last reported US attack on Iran occurred on July 29. This was just days after President Donald Trump threatened to retaliate "hard" against Iranian actions targeting US bases in Jordan. That threat followed a brief pause in a consecutive 13-day bombing campaign by the US. During that pause, Tehran had also temporarily halted its retaliatory strikes on US interests in the Gulf.
Adding to the pressure, the US announced a new wave of economic sanctions on Iran last week. This move was dubbed "Operation Economic Outcast." The aim is to isolate Iran economically. It will target countries doing business with Iran and attempt to 'dedollarize' those relationships. The US Treasury Department also sanctioned nearly 60 corporations, individuals, and vessels across multiple jurisdictions. They alleged these entities enabled the Iranian regime's "recklessness." Notably, several Chinese nationals were included in this list.
The expiration of the Iran-US Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) two weeks ago also signifies a critical juncture. Signed on June 17, the MoU set a 60-day deadline. Both nations were to end the war and reach an agreement on Iran's nuclear programme. That deadline has now passed without resolution.
US missiles struck Larak Island on Sunday, August 31, 2026. The targets were allegedly IRGC rocket launchers being prepared for mine-laying. The Iran-US war has lasted nearly seven months. An Iran-US MoU signed on June 17 expired two weeks ago. The US announced "Operation Economic Outcast" sanctions last week.
Sardar Mohebi, IRGC spokesperson, accused the US of making "a strategic and fatal mistake." He stated it will pay consequences "in both the economic and military arenas."